Chris Young: Hold debate without Broun

Posted: Tuesday, October 07, 2008

By

I'd like to publicly ask the Athens Press Club to proceed with a series of public debates for the 10th Congressional District. The newly minted half-term incumbent, Republican Rep. Paul Broun, who last year made the need for public debate the centerpiece of his campaign, now claims he no longer needs to debate and will not attend any one-on-one forum with his opponent within this district.

He's rather busy, we are told, shooting skeet with the lame-duck governor.

On the other hand, maybe he mistakenly feels communication is a one-way street - from him, via taxpayer-financed telemarketing, to us. It seems only an elitist would show, as Broun himself said last year, such "disdain for the public" by refusing real debates in the district.

But why shouldn't the Athens Press Club schedule debates without him, just as it had Broun in debates last year without his then-opponent, Republican Jim Whitehead, present?

Please set and host a debate for these candidates. If one of them doesn't bother actually to show up to field questions from the voters, that will constitute his loud and clear statement and position to the public. But in fairness, at least give 10th District Democratic candidate Bobby Saxon, who has put himself out there working to represent our district, the chance to answer public questions in a public forum.

The press is not a victim here if it chooses to be proactive in setting debates for the public discernment of our choices. There need be no reason to cancel debates just because Broun threatens he will not show.